Struggling Olympiacos (1-2) has the task of recovering from consecutive losses with a visit from Partizan (1-2), which is also seeking a return to the winning path after losing at home to Barcelona on Tuesday. The Reds need to rediscover their usual fluency on offense after scoring just 53 points in Tuesday's loss in Milan, converting just 19 field goals and registering more turnovers (15) than assists (12). Olympiacos could look to dominate physically by running their offense through big man Nikola Milutinov, who has started the season in fine form with averages of 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. But Partizan is also strong inside, leading the league in two-point conversion rate (62.3%) and possessing the most accurate individual in that category with Alen Smailagic (80%).
Pre-game quotes: Olympiacos vs. Partizan
Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach
A win or a loss is not the end of the world in EuroLeague. As I said some days ago, we are in a phase that we are just trying to survive most of the games, results included. Personally, I strongly believe in our roster and its potentials. The good news for us is that Nigel Williams-Goss will play against Partizan, although he has not made a single practice with the rest of the team. As I said, it’s a difficult period for us and we need our supporters encouraging and support. All these years we achieved a lot and we will achieve more in the future. Partizan is a team that plays intense, especially at their home court. They have potentials and weaknesses as well. No Euroleague team is at the best possible condition. Partizan has its coach signature and after the loss in their home at the last game against Barcelona, I am sure that they will come determined to get the win.
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan head coach
Olympiacos is a team that was made to play in the Final Four. Last year they played in the championship game, they missed the title by a millimeter and they played outstanding basketball. This year they had problems with injuries at the beginning and they are currently in that rhythm. However, it will be very difficult in their gym. Olympiacos is a team that has a lot of experience, the same players have been there for years, the coach is the same, they brought in players who stepped in for the players who left. A demanding game awaits us in every sense. What was evident last night against Barcelona is that, if you want to play well in the EuroLeague, you have to play all 40 minutes. There is no room for small mistakes, for taking shots in the early phase of the offense, for not boxing out... The players are aware of everything and know where they went wrong last night, I expect a reaction.
Giannoulis Larentzakis, Olympiacos player
Because of the back-to-back games we do not have the luxury to think about what happened in Milan. This game is over and we have already forgot about it. We have focused on tomorrow’s game against Partizan and we really want the win, in order to make a fresh start. Partizan is a dangerous team, that can score easily with players such are Panter and LeDay. They have full roster, they play tough but if we play good defense and get good rhythm on offence we will dominate.
Frank Kaminsky, Partizan player
We have to make the best of the Barcelona game and move on. We are focused on Olympiacos. This is a big game for us, we have to focus, clear our minds and try to win the game. That is all! We mustn't look back, it's hard to forget the defeat against Barca, but we have to move on. We will fix the things we didn't do well against Barca and focus on Olympiacos, to play a good game.